10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 9,785 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
PTU went bad. Going to cost $3000+ to repair. Can-€™t use 4x4 until it is which is why I bought the Jeep. Seems like this is a common issue with the vehicle and wanted to report it.
- Reno, NV, USA
PTU went bad. Going to cost $3000+ to repair. Can-€™t use 4x4 until it is which is why I bought the Jeep. Seems like this is a common issue with the vehicle and wanted to report it.
- Reno, NV, USA
Our dashboard displayed "CK 4WD " this morning. After checking the Jeep Cherokee manual we followed its urgent advice and immediately drove to a Jeep dealership fortunately nearby. While waiting, wanting to get a handle on what expense ws at hand I checked various YouTube and other internet posts, and became aware for the first time of recalls on previous years' Cherokee power case ( PTU's). I asked for new part replacemet but the dealership parts manager said new parts were on "back order, "and could not say when the replacement could even be obtained. He said a "rebuilt" could be shipped from Florida and work completed by next Wedsday, a full week from today, 2-14-23. My car passed out of warranty a month ago, now at 61080. We are camping and home is about 900 miles from home now. Estimate on the job was $2397.03, but I believe the final bill will be a few hundred less because of the cheaper rebuilt part. The dealership gave us a ride back to the state park 8 miles away, where our camper is parked. The mechanic at the dealership said we shouldn't have pulled our 2500 lb camper trailer with the car, though Jeep had promoted the Cherokee with towing package we bought as rated good for 4500 lb., pretty far below the weight of a packed trailer. I'm only aware of a safety issue now described in the existing recall of where the tow vehicle could suddenly go into neutral and lose all power, meaning to me that our brakes and brake lights might suddenly not function which could be catastrophic even under light traffic, and unthinkable on any big city throughway. The dealership said they made several calls on our behalf to try to expedite getting a new part but only could get the rebuilt PTU. We really had few options.
- Valparaiso, IN, USA
The vehicle would overcharge in which made the vehicle loss all power, lighting, and steering control. U had to come to a complete stop and restart the vehicle which would put it into limp mode and not handle properly
- Sutherlin, OR, USA
The power transfer unit (PTU), an important element of the optional all-wheel-drive system in affected vehicles may not be able to maintain a connection between the transmission and the front wheels. If the PTU fails to engage with the transmission, the Cherokee could lose all power while being driven. Also, a failure to engage could keep the vehicle from being put into park when stationary, allowing it to roll away. Either situation could result in a crash or injuries. I was informed by the dealership that the part is on an undermined backorder due to this being a common issue. Fortunately the failure occurred just prior to the expiration of the powertrain warranty.
- Browns Mills, NJ, USA
Power Transfer Unit Failure. Grinding and slipping. PTU accuator motor failure first, then slipping occured. Leaking oil from unit
- Trinchera, CO, USA
A SVC4WD light started intermittently coming on. A message would follow on the dash that 4wd was unavailable. The diagnostic error code was C14A7-97 for the PTU. This vehicle has 90,000 miles and most of them highway. No off road or aggressive driving. Very concerned that PTU will fail at high rate of speed. Dealership will not acknowledge known PTU issues with model despite having 3 vehicles in for same repair. Extensive cost and part unavailable makes repair prohibitive immediately so very dangerous.
- Rapid City, SD, USA
Service 4WD light keeps coming on.Took it to auto center for check. C14A7-97 error showing up. There is a problem with the Power Transfer Unit on 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2 V6 with 80,000 miles when first star. If the PTU fails to engage with the transmission, the Cherokee could lose all power while being driven. Also, a failure to engage could keep the vehicle from being put into park when stationary, allowing it to roll away. Either situation could result in a crash or injuries.
- Chesterfield, MI, USA
My air bag light keeps coming on staying the air bag sensor is off.Thst could cause a major problem if I were to be involved in an accident.My transmission is jarring bad feeling like I've been hit.This scares me every time it jars.This could cause problems in any situation involving me mashing the gas because there is a delay in aerating.have spoken to my dealership about these problems.
- Cassatt, SC, USA
When stopped at multiple ref lights having my foot on the break pedal the car suddenly accelerates on its own and stays at 2000 rpms. This does not go away and the car must be put in park and turned off for the issue to stop.
- Woodhaven , NY, USA
The power transfer unit (PTU), an important element of the optional all-wheel-drive system in affected vehicles may not be able to maintain a connection between the transmission and the front wheels. If the PTU fails to engage with the transmission, the Cherokee could lose all power while being driven. Also, a failure to engage could keep the vehicle from being put into park when stationary, allowing it to roll away. Either situation could result in a crash or injuries. Yes - currently at Lithia Jeep in Bend, OR where another Jeep is in for the same safety issue and has been deemed unsafe to drive while waiting for a new PTU to come in. 4WD Service light was on.
- Bend, OR, USA
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle was jerking, and the engine revved inadvertently. The contact also stated that when she applied the brakes, a loud abnormal noise was heard. After parking the vehicle, the parking brake engaged independently. Additionally, the contact also stated that she needed to refill the engine oil on a weekly basis. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on two different occasions; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (8811 Interstate 35 Access Rd, San Antonio, TX 78211) where various unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that she was offered to trade in the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
My car shifted into neutral while driving and flashed "park to shift to drive" on the dash. I had to park, turn the car off, then turn it back on in order to drive. This happened 7 times trying to get home. The next day it just shut off while driving and the check engine light came on. I could have been rear-ended or caused an accident. My car would not accelerate until it was turned off and back on. I had people blaring their horns and swerving around me. The dealer told me the codes were an evaporative pressure switch and CAN bus code. They diagnosed the CAN bus issue as the PTU and replaced it. When I picked up the car, I had a rattling noise under the hood. I took it back to the dealer. When they fixed it, the ESS (Engine Stop/Start) was no longer working. A few weeks later, the jeep won't start and can't be jumped by other vehicles. Roadside assistance could get it started, but as soon as they disconnected their commercial jumper, it died. Had to tow back to dealer. Now I am told it is the alternator and battery.
- Jersey City, NJ, USA
The alarm of "4WD system not available. Service required" is shown in the panel. Went to my Jeep dealer and check the issue. After revision they said that the problem is with the PTU that needs to be replaced. Checking in Internet, found that problems with the PTU is a recurring issue with the jeep cherokee. I found a recall for this problem and my VIN is not included, but the safety problem is there. I would really appreciate if you can help with this matter. Thank you.
- Riverdale, NY, USA
While driving, my car had a service light come on that said "4WD System Unavailable Service Required" meaning my 4WD randomly stopped working, my transmission has also randomly been slipping. My car was purchased from a dealer, brand new, with 16 miles on it- several which I put on it while test driving. I have had nothing but trouble with it since purchasing and now at 74,3XX miles on it, I am yet again having issues. When codes were ran, it came up as a Drive Train Control Module code and says PTU- Motor- Component or System Obstructed or Blocked. The dealership told me the cost would be at least $2,200 to fix the issue and the part is backordered which makes me think I'm not the only one having this issue. I cannot afford to keep fixing the random things that happen to my car that should not be happening to a vehicle that was purchased brand new and has been gently used. There are recalls for this same issue on other VIN numbers of this vehicle, I feel like there should be more recalls issued.
- Bucyrus, MO, USA
I bought this car end of July 2022, around 31,000 miles from a Jeep dealer. Within weeks I began receiving alerts on my dash that the 4WD needed to be serviced as well as the start/stop function. Dealer had my car in Sept for almost two weeks. Today, something flashed on my screen stating electric failure and it completely shut down. Nothing will turn on. It had to be drug up onto the tow truck as it could not be placed into neutral. Upon reviewing online resources, this appears to be an issue with this year/model, often happening while the car is in motion. This is terrifying! I have owned two Dodge Journeys and am currently leasing a wrangler. I have been a long time Dodge/Jeep customer and am terrified to drive this vehicle! If I could hand the keys back I would. The service center at the dealership said that they -€œshould-€ be able to look at my car next week- just to look at it!
- Romeo, MI, USA
Problem with Transfer Case, Transmission, code C14A7 PTU, I had my engine replaced a couple of years ago due to excessive oil consumption. I am currently going through oil checks again due to excessive oil consumption.
- Turners Falls, MA, USA
Every time I come to a red light or a stop sign and apply pressure to the break the voltage of the battery goes down. The vehicle cuts off and it will not start back up. I can be in a traffic jam and apply pressure to the brake and the vehicle will cut off leaving me in the middle of traffic. It will not start back up.
- Philadelphia , PA, USA
At @45,000 miles the 4WD system unavailable service required message and svc 4WD message came on, then every time the Jeep was driven messages would come on. Dealer replaced the PTU. NHTSA has already had a recall on Jeep Cherokee PTU's, but only to model years 2017. I believe Jeep still has a problem with the PTU and the recall should be reexamined to include years to at least 2020.
- Porter, TX, USA
- Texas, TX, USA